Atami is a city located in Shizuoka, Japan. The name literally means "hot ocean", a reference to the town's famous onsen hot springs. Atami has been a resort since the 8th century, and is now part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Much of the extensive art collection of eccentric multimillionaire and religious leader Mokichi Okada is now housed in the MOA Museum of Art in Atami.
As of September 2005, the city has an estimated population of 41,816 and the density of 679.38 persons per km². The total area is 61.55 km². The city was founded on April 10, 1937.
The TÅkaidÅ Shinkansen and TÅkaidÅ Main Line stop at Atami Station, providing direct access to the city from central Tokyo and other major cities. This accessibility makes Atami one of the most popular seaside destinations in the Greater Tokyo Area.
Sourced with thanks from En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atami,_Shizuoka
Atami means "hot ocean". The town has been a popular hot spring resort since the 8th century and is ranked as one of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs. These days the coastline is heavily developed and covered in "identikit" concrete hotels, but in summer the sandy beach is popular.
SEE
* MOA Museum of Art. Opened in 1982 to house some of the collection of eccentric millionaire Mokichi Okada (see box), the displays here run the gamut from Japanese calligraphy to Tang-dynasty pottery, with a roomful of Matisse, a tea room covered in gold leaf and Socialist-realist bronze sculptures thrown in for flavor.
But there's a uniting thread to it all, as according to Okada, "Art must meet three conditions: it must be true, it must be good, and it must be beautiful." No falsehood, evil, or ugliness; no death, no old age, no sickness; no sorrow, no hate, no pain, no lust. The overall effect is a little eerie, but beautiful just the same and well worth a visit. The entrance to the museum is particularly striking. Open 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily except Thursday, adult admission is a steep but worthwhile ¥1600 yen. The museum is accessible by bus from JR Atami station (8 minutes).
* Atami Hihokan, If lolling about in hot water has gotten you all hot and bothered, this overpriced erotic museum will fan the flames a bit. Over 18 years only. ¥1800, including return transfer on the Atami Ropeway.
Sourced with thanks from Wikitravel.org/en/Atami
